Whanganui District Health Board (WDHB) is encouraging Whanganui residents, including staff and visitors to Whanganui Hospital, to wear pink shirts on Friday 18 May in support of the Mental Health Foundation’s Pink Shirt Day.

Pink Shirt Day, is the global anti-bullying day which encourages and celebrates bully-free workplaces, homes, schools and other community settings where people can feel safe, valued and respected.

It marks the final day of Anti-Bullying Week from 14 to 18 May which aims to send a clear and positive message that bullying is not acceptable.

Pink Shirt Day began in Canada in 2007 when two students took a stand against homophobic bullying, by mobilising their whole school, after a peer was bullied for wearing a pink shirt.

WDHB health promoter Sarah Hawken says she would love to see people throughout the wider Whanganui community joining in and wearing pink. “Small actions lead to larger actions which create positive change where we live, work and play,” Ms Hawken says.

More information on activities and taking action to put an end to bullying can be found at www.pinkshirtday.org.nz or by phoning Sarah Hawken, on (06) 3483097.